Planning your special day at Larkspur Lodge? We’re giving you a sneak peek into what a typical itinerary looks like at our stunning Cheshire wedding venue. From a breakdown of the perfect timeline for the day, to a look at our ceremony and reception spaces, we’re here to share what a Larkspur Lodge wedding experience looks like for couples.
We’ll also be highlighting the services available to make your big day stress-free and unforgettable. Whether you’re dreaming about an intimate ceremony or a lively celebration, we’re here to provide an insight into how wedding days tend to look here at Larkspur Lodge.
How does a typical wedding day unfold at Larkspur Lodge?
For many of our couples, a typical wedding day at Larkspur Lodge begins in our charming Loft Room, a spacious and comfortable preparation area ideal for hair, makeup and getting ready without the stress of needing to travel to the venue afterwards.
Whilst you enjoy the excitement of getting ready surrounded by a select group of family and friends, the rest of your guests will start to arrive in the ceremony space, typically greeted by your other half. Though many couples opt to get married in our beautiful ceremony room, if you’re hosting a summer wedding, you may prefer to have your ceremony and celebration outside in our stunning garden area. Whichever you choose, both options make for timeless and elegant photographs that you will be looking back on for years to come.
After the “I do’s”, the party begins! The celebration continues with a drinks reception, either outside in our lovely garden or inside, depending on your preferences and the weather on the day. This is also a perfect time for you, your partner and your bridal party to get photographs, as your guests are typically occupied with drinks and nibbles. Another great way to keep your guests entertained is by adding lawn games for outdoor drinks receptions – these are interactive, fun and encourage your guests to mingle.
Once the photos and drinks reception are complete, you will then head inside the Lodge for a delicious wedding breakfast and an evening of dancing, drinks and fun with your guests! Here you will have your speeches and sit-down wedding breakfast, as well as any entertainment such as a band or DJ ready for your first dance.
During the reception, more informal evening food is also offered to keep you and your guests full of energy for the dancefloor – some popular food options include pizzas, fish and chips or roaming sandwiches. You and your partner will also cut your wedding cake to share with your guests.
What are the ceremony and reception venues like at Larkspur Lodge?
As part of the Larkspur Lodge wedding experience, couples are treated to an unforgettable, rustic setting for both their ceremony and reception.
Our Ceremony Room is the ultimate romantic setting in which to say “I do”. This amphitheatre-style space is fully licensed for civil ceremonies, and seats up to 150 guests. With retro theatre seats, monochrome floor tiles and twinkling lights, our Ceremony Room is truly unique. Alternatively, if you want to get married surrounded by the beautiful Cheshire countryside, our expansive Garden is a dreamy setting to do so.
After your ceremony, our iconic Lodge is the heart of the celebration. Light, spacious and charmingly rustic, the Lodge boasts exposed red brick walls, elegant white-clothed tables and comfortable wooden chairs, ideal for those dreaming of a barn wedding.
We also have a comfortable bar and lounge area, where guests can unwind on Chesterfield sofas and enjoy a wide range of drinks from our fully-stocked bar.
Can you describe the timeline and schedule for a wedding day at Larkspur Lodge?
During your wedding day, it’s important to have a plan and know your timings to ensure that your day runs smoothly from start to finish. Whilst timings can differ due to factors such as registrar availability, here is an example itinerary of a day at our Cheshire wedding venue:
8:00 AM – Getting Ready: The morning begins with the couple and their parties getting ready, this includes hair, makeup and any final touches. Please note, should you choose to use our Loft to get ready in the morning, this is available from 8AM. We’d recommend speaking with your hairdresser and makeup artist to confirm timings.
12:00 PM – Guest Arrival: If you are having a 1 o’clock ceremony, guests tend to start to arrive around one hour before, giving them time to mingle and find their seats before the ceremony begins.
1:00 PM – Ceremony: Time to say “I do”! The wedding ceremony typically lasts around 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the format. Please note, your ceremony time can be subject to change dependent on availability at the time.
2:00 PM – Drinks Reception: After the ceremony, guests enjoy a drinks reception, often with canapés, usually outside in our garden, whilst the couple takes photos.
4:00 PM – Wedding Breakfast: Your first meal as a married couple, known as the wedding breakfast, takes place. Speeches typically follow the meal, but if you’d prefer to do these beforehand, you can.
6:00 PM – Evening Reception: After your wedding breakfast,your evening guests will arrive for a night of music, dancing and socialising!
7:30 PM – Cutting the Cake and First Dance: The cake cutting and first dance are some of the most exciting parts of the evening – plus, they’re a great chance to get some more photos!
8:00 PM – Evening Food is Served: A few hours into the reception, informal evening food is served to keep guests’ energy levels high until the end of the night.
12:00 AM – End of Reception: The night typically concludes around midnight, with guests gradually departing as the newlyweds enjoy their final moments of the day.
This is just an example of how your wedding day at Larkspur Lodge can work, but our dedicated team can help you plan your timeline to work with your ceremony time and vision for your day.
What amenities and services are provided to couples and guests during a wedding at Larkspur Lodge?
When you choose Larkspur Lodge as your wedding venue, both you and your guests will enjoy a variety of thoughtful amenities and services designed to make your day seamless and unforgettable.
Couples get exclusive use of the venue, including the Lodge, Bar and Lounge, The Snug, Ceremony Room, Garden, Terrace, and car park, ensuring complete privacy for your special day. For an additional fee, you can also hire The Loft preparation suite from 8am, perfect for getting ready at the venue.
To assist with planning and executing your special day, you will also have a dedicated wedding coordinator and an on-the-day event manager to keep everything running smoothly. A Master of Ceremonies is also available to guide key moments of the day, such as moving between areas, and signalling to the guests that it is time for important moments such as the first dance.
For venue decor, round tables, stylish white cross-back chairs, foliage-dressed chandeliers, a cake stand and knife, and a wooden easel to display your table plan are all included. Additional benefits also include access to our premium PA sound system, unlimited Wi-Fi and complimentary parking overnight on-site. You and your guests will also receive special hotel rates to ensure a comfortable stay for all.
Are there testimonials or stories from couples who have celebrated their weddings at Larkspur Lodge?
Want to see some of our previous couples’ weddings at Larkspur Lodge? You’re in luck! We love sharing our past couples’ wedding stories with those looking to learn more about our Cheshire wedding venue. Click here to see some of our previous wedding stories.
